@Zqyx "Did Axl Rose demand police escort to Melbourne concert?
GUNS N Roses promoter Paul Dainty says superstar rocker Axl Rose was trapped in Melbourne’s gridlock nightmare for an hour while trying to get to his own gig.
“He sat in a black van stuck in traffic like everyone else,” Mr Dainty told Confidential. “We had 74,000 people at the MCG that night. The roads were horrendous.”
Mr Dainty denied that Rose, his management or promoters demanded a police escort from Crown Towers to the MCG in a bid to get to the show quicker.
Earlier today, Victoria Police spokeswoman Kendra Jackson confirmed a request for a police escort was received on the night, but it was turned down.
“A request was made and a risk assessment was conducted. The request was denied,” she said.
Given the traffic snarls, Mr Dainty also moved Guns N Roses’ onstage time — “in consultation with the MCG” — from 8pm to 8.15pm to ensure punters didn’t miss the start of the show.
He added: “That was us doing the right thing.”
Axl’s traffic problems came unstuck when the van crawled into Brunton Ave, which was closed off for the show, which began at 8.45pm
“The second (Rose) got to the MCG, he was driven directly to the stage door, he put monitors in his ears and went straight on stage. He didn’t even go to his dressing room,” Mr Dainty said.
Mr Dainty said the police request did not come from himself, Rose, or the band’s management."